Winners Named at IoD's Director of the Year Awards London and South East 2017

18 May 2017

London – 22nd May 2017: Nine directors scooped top prizes at The Institute of Director’s annual Director of the Year Awards for London and South East 2017 with one celebrating a double win.

Paul Lindley, founder and chairman of the organic baby food brand Ella’s Kitchen, walked away with International Director of the Year as well as Director of the Year (Medium Company) – Turnover £10m - £99.99m.

The IoD also presented for the first time a Leadership in Mental Health Awareness Award to recognise the leader of a small to medium size business who is showing the way forward when it comes to addressing the mental health of their workforce. This was awarded to Thomas Duncan Bell, Managing director of Team Tops.

The other winners included:

Julianne Ponan, owner and CEO of superfood brand Creative Nature – won Young Director of the Year

Nicholas Mercer, Commercial director for Eurostar – won Chairman’s Award for Leadership in Corporate Responsibility Director of the Year

Claire Horton, Chief Executive of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home - won Public/Third sector Director of the Year

Adrian Powell, Managing director of Active Facilities Management – won Director of the Year (Small Company) – Turnover up to £9.99m

Matthew Harris, Group Strategy & Risk director of Costain Group – won Director of the Year (Large Company) – Turnover £500m and over

James Thompson, Managing director of Spokes of Bagshot – won Early Stage Business Director of the Year

The directors were presented with their awards on Wednesday evening at the iconic 116 Pall Mall.

Paul Lindley commented: “It is so humbling to be recognised with two such prestigious awards. It can be a challenging journey to morph from being a CEO and executive director in the company you founded to becoming Chairman and a non-executive following acquisition; supporting your successor CEO and executive team. We are all proud that together we have kept the operation of a growing, profitable, mission led and people centred business thriving. We hope this award shows Ella's Kitchen as a kite mark example of how collective leadership should be done.”

Thomas Duncan Bell added: ““Running my own business while living with a form of bipolar disorder is not always plain sailing; but for someone to have noticed the energy and the effort and to have nominated me for an IoD award is absolutely wonderful. Being awarded the Leadership in Mental Health Awareness Award stands as testament that no matter what you face in life, with some grit and a perpetual drive to succeed, we can overcome any obstacles life throws our way.”

“Bipolar means that you see the world in a different way to most, what people don’t realise is, the attributes that come along with it are hugely valuable to any business. Winning this award will go a long way to further eliminating elements of the stigma that surround mental wellbeing in business.”

The awards, hosted by Television presenter Declan Curry, celebrate the exemplary leaders who are doing great work across London and the South East of England, rewarding individuals who display professionalism, diligence and creativity to inspire employees.

Alan Fitzwater, Director of Regional Engagement at the IoD said of the awards: “2017 saw a record number of entries made in the IoD South East & London awards, with over 500 businesses being initially considered for our 10 categories, the standard remains as high as ever. The award finalists represent the best of business across the South East, with SME’s, International businesses and start-ups all well-represented.”

About IoD Awards - Stephen Martin, Director General, Institute of Directors
Our awards seek to shine a light on directors who have enhanced and driven their businesses forward. The contenders come from different organisations but all share similarities in leadership, expertise and personal dedication. During this critical period of political change, we will need to see ingenuity and tenacity displayed by professional leaders. The vibrancy and diversity of the businesses here gives me cause to be hopeful of the strength of British industries. Over the coming years the IoD will continue to provide the necessary support and guidance to members, while seeking to put the business perspective to government as Brexit negotiations take place.